Move to Spain

[cararose1977]

Hello. Can someone please refer me to a trusted importer to help bring my 2018 JLU from the US to Spain?
I previously moved a corvette from Canada to Switzerland, so I know the horror stories.
My main concern is an aftermarket steel bumper (with a bully bar) and fog lights. I brought the factory lighting harness through but swapped out the fog lamps for LEDs. I see there are aftermarket bumpers for sale in Europe, but I’m not sure it will pass the importing ‘road worthiness’ inspection.
There is a wealth of information in this forum about the necessity modifications. Fantastic! Parts look like they will be about $1k US and most the work I can do myself. I’m looking for an importer’s quote for all import services. 100% white glove.
Thank you!

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[EU_Wrangler]

Hi,

With regards to a trusted importer, I used Valcex https://www.valcex.es/ to import cars from US (Miami port) to Spain like 10 years ago without any problem. I see that they are still in business so I guess it is a good indication

However, they were stock cars, not with aftermarket parts. The real headache of importing a Jeep into Spain (and Europe in general) is the local traffic inspection for cars (ITV), which certainly will not allow a steel bumper in a modern Jeep.

 

[cararose1977]

Ok thank you for the info. I really appreciate it.

 

[O)()()()()(O]

i understand that the EU bumpers are very different and have concerns about importing my JL with factory steel bumpers. Does it make a difference if the vehicle is US stock as manufactured with steel bumpers? I have scrolled listings of used JLs in the EU and some have steel bumpers.

 

[AcesandEights]

Why not remove the bumper and put a plastic one on? Or, ship it sans bumper and put one on when you get there?

 

[cararose1977]

i understand that the EU bumpers are very different and have concerns about importing my JL with factory steel bumpers. Does it make a difference if the vehicle is US stock as manufactured with steel bumpers? I have scrolled listings of used JLs in the EU and some have steel bumpers.

i definitely see jeeps in Europe with steel bumpers. There’s one that parks on my street. The issue is what will happen at import. We imported a corvette with factory sports tires (like racing slicks) which is exactly how they are sold in Europe. I even got the spec sheet from the European dealer showing that they are standard kit. They REFUSED to pass it through inspection as “worn-out used tires” although they were brand new. So we had to buy regular street tires.
This is why I want to talk to the importer… if I need to plan on buying the OEM European “pouty lip” bumper as I’m budgeting the move. It could even depend on the mood of the inspector in some countries.
***************
I just talked to an importer. She said that the Spanish govt wants the vehicle in it’s “original unmodified state.” But it’s no guarantee that the inspector won’t demand the EU bumper.

 

[cararose1977]

Why not remove the bumper and put a plastic one on? Or, ship it sans bumper and put one on when you get there?

It might be necessary. It might not. If the importer says it’s too complicated, then I’ll just sell the Jeep in the US and buy a less expensive 4x4. $1000 for mods is ok… but having to deal with the bumper and winch again and potentially having to buy the stupid looking EU bumper… no way.

 

[O)()()()()(O]

Thats exactly where I am with it. I have no issue with updating the fog lights, side markers, and tail lights. The bumper may be a dealbreaker. At that point, I’ll sell before the move.

 

[pablo_max3045]

Thats exactly where I am with it. I have no issue with updating the fog lights, side markers, and tail lights. The bumper may be a dealbreaker. At that point, I’ll sell before the move.

Even if you had to buy a replacement bumper it would likely be worth it, assuming you can avoid the import tax. Which reading more, it looks like you can avoid it for 1 car.
Car prices in Portugal are generally 25% more than any other country in the EU due to the super high tax.

 

[O)()()()()(O]

Even if you had to buy a replacement bumper it would likely be worth it, assuming you can avoid the import tax. Which reading more, it looks like you can avoid it for 1 car.
Car prices in Portugal are generally 25% more than any other country in the EU due to the super high tax.

Thank you. My concern would be that I’m required to get the factory euro bumper which looks horrific. if replacement is needed, a whole new search for more subtle compliant bumpers would begin.

 

[pablo_max3045]

Thank you. My concern would be that I’m required to get the factory euro bumper which looks horrific. if replacement is needed, a whole new search for more subtle compliant bumpers would begin.

it looks SUPER bad but after a while you stop caring.
I would try to find some expat forum for folks living in Portugal and ask for someone to point you to an importer agent.
It's not likely that you will find someone who has imported a Wrangler specifically though since they are not that common in Portugal. Mostly because of the tax crap and the 7 bucks a gallon for gas.
So, keep in mind that will be paying 140€ to fill up.
I have the 2.2 diesel with gets about 26 mpg, so it's not that bad, but still.. it adds up.

 

[Hammerhead149]

I used Schumacher, for a Dodge ram 1500 and two SportBikes, total was 6,700 from New Jersey to Spain. That was the easy part the hard part was getting the vehicles to pass inspection to EU standards and the kick in the balls was paying the import tax. Spain calculates the value of the vehicle based off of what they feel the vehicle is worth, I can tell you this jeeps are VERY expensive here in Spain so I can tell you to easily add 20+ percent onto the value of your jeep and that's what you can expect. I hope this helps

 

[O)()()()()(O]

I used Schumacher, for a Dodge ram 1500 and two SportBikes, total was 6,700 from New Jersey to Spain. That was the easy part the hard part was getting the vehicles to pass inspection to EU standards and the kick in the balls was paying the import tax. Spain calculates the value of the vehicle based off of what they feel the vehicle is worth, I can tell you this jeeps are VERY expensive here in Spain so I can tell you to easily add 20+ percent onto the value of your jeep and that's what you can expect. I hope this helps

Fortunately there will be no taxes. In Portugal, there are usually 2 taxes for vehicle import, a 10% and 20% which would be roughly $24,000 for my 2020. Those taxes are waived since I’ve owned the vehicle for more than 6 months, has more than 6,000 kms, and will be imported during a full time residency move. You are only allowed to have taxes waived on 1 vehicle, only use the waiver once every 5 years, and must not sell the vehicle for 1 year after import date.

I am anticipating an emission tax of $1500 per year and somewhat higher gas prices but insurance will cost about 10% of what I now pay annually so there will be a total cost reduction there as well.

I also expect nothing to go smoothly and a lot of red tape but I think it will be worth is in the end.

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